vulva

noun

vul·​va ˈvəl-və 

plural vulvae ˈvəl-ˌvē  -ˌvī 

: the external parts of the female genital organs

vulval

ˈvəl-vəl 

adjective

or vulvar

ˈvəl-vər 

-ˌvär

Examples of vulva in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This could mean experiencing itching and redness of the vulva, even when your baseline tissue is quite healthy. —Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 17 Dec. 2025

Toward the end of the show, Sherman projected a PowerPoint video combining real footage and claymation, in which she’s seen in the nude—her bush enormous, her armpit hair kudzu-like, her vulva spread wide, and her labia lips, made of prosthetics, dangling nearly to her feet. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025

And then silence, suddenly, as a religious illustration of what appears to be a vulva appears on screen. —David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025

Your vulva also encompasses your mons pubis, the rounded area located in front of your pubic bones where hair typically grows. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin volva, vulva womb, female genitals; akin to Sanskrit ulva womb and perhaps to Latin volvere to roll — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vulva

noun

vul·​va ˈvəl-və 

plural vulvae -ˌvē 

-ˌvī

: the parts of the female genital organs that are on the outside of the body

Medical Definition

vulva

noun

vul·​va ˈvəl-və 

plural vulvae -ˌvē  -ˌvī 

: the external parts of the female genital organs comprising the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, bulb of the vestibule, and Bartholin's glands